The effect of resistance plyometrics training on physical and pain parameters in athletes

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of resistance plyometric training program for 12 weeks on selective parameters of physical performance and pain in basketball players. Method: Sixty male athletes aged 15,8±0,8 years, and have been playing basketball for at least 4 years regularly participated into this study. The athletes were assigned to one of three groups as control (C), plyometrics training (P) and resistance plyometrics training (RP). All groups continued to perform the regular program of standard basketball training 5 days per week for 12 weeks. C group was performed standard basketball training program, while P group was additionally trained by plyometric jumping exercises for 3 days a week, and RP group was performed the resistance plyometrics by using the "Vertimax© " device for 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Physical characteristics such as age, training duration with years, height, weight, thigh length, and physical performance measurements such as isokinetic muscle force, 10m and 20m sprint running time, agility score, anaerobic capacity and vertical jump height, and pain-related parameters such ad pressure, cold and electrical pain threshold, pain tolerance, RIII threshold and temporal summation of pain of all athletes were measured at the beginning, and at the end of the training program. Results: No statistical differences were found among three groups according to their physical characteristics at the pre-trained period. Twelve weeks of exercise training program of P and RP groups resulted in an increase in flexibility, agility score, 20m sprint running performance and peak torque in flexor isokinetic muscle of dominant leg at 60º, 180º and 300º angles in comparison with the initial measurements. Training program resulted in an increase in pressure pain threshold and tolerance of P and RP groups, an increase in cold pressor test duration of P group, while the unaltered electrical current thresholds of three experimental groups were found. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that resistance plyometrics training program for 12 weeks induces differences in several parameters of physical performance and pain-related parameters with different stimulus modalities. Key words: basketball, adolescents, isokinetic muscle strength, agility, pain